Humidifier.



F. C. PHELPS.

HUMIDIFIER.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.25. 1913.

Patented Nov. 2, 1915,

FATFT orribu.

' FOSTER C. PHEELPS, 0F WAUKESHA, WISCONSIN.

nunrmrrnn.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 2*, iota.

Application filed August 25, 1913. Serial No. 786,411.

To all whom it may concern I Be it known that I, Fos'rnn G. PHELPS, acitizen of the'United States, and resident of "Waukesha, in the countyof VVaukesha and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Humidifiers, of

which the following is a description, refer-- ence being had to theaccompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification. Thisinvention relates to improvements in humidifiers and more particularlyto humidifiers for household and other use.

It is one of the objects of the present in-v vention to provide ahumidifier for increas-.

ing the humidity of air by evaporating water from a container at agreater rate than would be evaporated under ordinary circumstances and,therefore, conduce to the comfort and health of the occupants of therooms.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for increasingthe humidlty of the air by suspending a number of sheets of absorbentmaterial in such position as to recelve a constant supply of water bycapillary attraction and to subject the moistened sheets to thecirculation of the air in the room.

A further object of the present invention is to provide .a humidifierfor increasing the humidity of the air which is automatic in action andwhich may be placed adjacent to heating radiators of difierent kinds.

A further object of the invention is to provide a humidifier forincreasing the-humidity of the air formed of a number .of units whihmaybe increased or diminished in num er to regulate the degree ofhumidity desi ed.

A further object of the invention is to provide a humidifier forincreasingthe humidity of the air which is of simple construction, isstrong and durable and is Welladapted for the purpose desired.

With the above, and other objects in view, the invention consists of theimproved humidifier and itsparts and combinations as set forth in theclaim, and all equivalents thereof.

In the accompanying drawings in which the same reference cliaractersindicate the same parts in all of the views: Figure 1 is a side view ofthe improved humidifier, the

'material 17 preferably of thereln of a steam or hot water radiatorhaving a modified form of humidifier mounted therein; Fig. 6 is avertical transverse sectional view thereof.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 15 indicates a receptacle ofrectangular form for holding water to be evaporated and within thisreceptacle is placed a rectangular wire frame 16 which projects upwardlyabove the said receptacle from the opposite end portions thereof. A-number of absorbent units in the form of sheets of absorbent blottingpaper, are mounted on a horizontal member 18 and the said member in turnrests upon the wire frame 16. The sheets are of T-form and have theirstem portions 19 extending into the receptacle and their upper portions20 projecting above and beyond the side walls of the receptacle. Theupper medial portions of the absorbent units are provided with openings21 through which the horizontal member extends and the said horizontalmember is provided with transverse notches 22 on its upper edge toreceive and space the absorbent units apart.

In the use of'the form just described, the

receptacle is filled with water and the lower portions of the absorbentunits are placed and by capillary attraction will draw the water fromthe receptacle until all portions of the units are saturated thusexposing comparatively a large moist surface to the air circulatingbetween the units.

In the modified form shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the absorbent units 23 areformed in pairs reinforced and supported by sheets of interposed wire"netting 24, the three parts being held together by spring paperfasteners 25. In this form the'pairs of units are spaced apart byproviding the rectangular frame 26 with upper and lower cogrugations 27into which the units extend.

In the modified form shown in Figs; 5 I i and 6 the reinforced absorbentunits 28 are supported on a frame in the form of a pair of notchedhorizontal members 29 which extend through openings 30 in the units andare connected to the radiator by hooks 31 or in any other mannerdesired. These horizontal members also provide for elevating the unitsto permit the removal of the receptacle for filling or for otherpurposes. This form is particularly adapted for use in connection withsteam or hot water radiators as indicated by the numeral 32. -lVl1enthus used the receptacle 15' is slipped under the radiator and theabsorbent units are then placed between the coils of the radiator andinto the receptacle. In order to permit the units to be thus positionedthey are slot-ted as indicated by the numeral 33 to permit them tostraddle the connecting pipe 3% of the radiator.

All of the modified forms are used in substantially the same mannerbefore described.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the humidifier isarranged to expose comparatively a large area of moist surfaces to theair and that a considerable amount of moisture may be evaporated. Itwill also be vseen that by varying the number of units ulated.

'hat I claim as my invention is:

A humidifier, comprising a receptacle having an open top, a removablerectangular wire frame mounted in said receptacle and provided withmeans extending horizontally and longitudinally across its top anthaving notches formed therein, and a plurality of absorbent unitssupported by said frame, bodily removable therewith, and directlyengaging in said notches to retain them in spaced relation with theirlower ends projecting into said receptacle to contact with the watercontained therein, said horizontal notched means being adapted to bepositioned longitudinally between the coils of a radiator to supportsaid absorbent units transversely between the coils of the same.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature, in presence of twowitnesses.

FOSTER C. PHELPS. Vitnesses C. H. KEENEY, EMILY SCHOWALTER.

the degree of moisture may be reg-

